Newcastle boss Steve Bruce. PA
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce. PA
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce. PA
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce. PA

Steve Bruce urges Newcastle players to forget takeover and secure Premier League safety


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Steve Bruce has urged his Newcastle players to focus on the task of securing the club's Premier League status when they return to action against Sheffield United on Sunday.

The Magpies had collected 35 points by the time the season drew to a temporary close in March and, with nine games remaining, still have work to do to ease their way over the line.

They will hope to edge closer by completing a double over the Blades at an empty St James' Park, and their head coach is urging them not to think too far ahead despite the ongoing takeover talk on Tyneside.

Bruce said: "Look, we've still got a lot to do, in my opinion. We've got to secure our Premier League status - that has been my objective since I walked through the door, that's absolutely paramount for a club of our size.

"We've got ourselves in a decent position, that's all it is. We've got nine to play, we've got five out of the bottom six to play, so it's all to play for, as they say."

The Magpies won 2-0 at Bramall Lane in the reverse fixture in December on a night when Jonjo Shelvey's controversial strike sealed victory.

However, Chris Wilder's men have enjoyed a fine first season back in the top flight - they currently sit in sixth place on 44 points - and Bruce knows another win could be a big ask.

He said: "I've got nothing but the highest praise for Chris and what he's achieved. It's been quite remarkable and it will be difficult.

"We couldn't have wished for a more difficult game as the first one up. But we beat them before at Bramall Lane, let's hope we can do it again in front of an, unfortunately, empty St James' Park."

Allan Saint-Maximin opened the scoring in the red half of Sheffield and Bruce will hope the Frenchman returns in enterprising form having kept his skills up to scratch during lockdown by dribbling around his dog at home.

The 59-year-old said with a smile: "That wouldn't surprise me. I've seen little bits and pieces and his garden was totally wrecked. Whether it's the dog or whether it's Allan, I'm not quite sure.

"But it wouldn't surprise me that he's been playing against his dog because the one thing about Allan is he enjoys playing and certainly enjoys dribbling, so let's hope he dribbles well on Sunday."

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

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School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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Based: Dubai, UAE

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Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

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